Anderson Cooper Talks Coming Out On Talk Show Premiere

Monday’s episode of “Anderson Live” marked the start of the new, re-worked season of his daytime talk show. It also marked the first on camera appearance of the host since coming out publically this summer.

The topic was not skimmed over. In fact, Anderson and his new co-host Kristin Chenoweth delved into the topic like a couple of housewives at a sewing circle.

In the discussion, he more-or-less repeated what he wrote in a letter to The Daily Beast’s Andrew Sullivan earlier this summer.

“Now I’m blushing and getting nervous,” said Cooper.

He continued, “I came out in high school. I told my friends. I told my family. I’ve always been out to my coworkers and stuff.”

He explained that taking the news publically was something he never saw the benefit in until recently.

“As a reporter I didn’t think that it was appropriate. It didn’t seem like part of my job,” he said. “I’ve been torn for a long time between a desire as a reporter to just do my job and be known as a reporter. And, at the same time, I do think visibility is important.”

The host emphasized that the issue is bigger than him and that, if he wanted to see change in the world, coming out could serve as an example to others.

“I didn’t want to send a message that it was anything that I was ashamed about,” he continued.

The audience clapped in support, while Kristin added essentially nothing to the conversation.

“I’m the same person I always was. I do the job the exact same way,” he said.